China to achieve solar grid parity in 2023, slow development of storage hinders RE adoption, survey shows
Examining the outlook for renewables, grid and infrastructure, and energy storage for the next five years and beyond, the Lloyd’s Register 2018 Technology Radar study asks the question: When will renewables become the dominant source of energy?
Northvolt battery project approved for EIB loan that could reach €52.5m
The Swedish storage developer will receive the loan funds via the European Commission’s InnovFin fund, which is part of the Energy Demo Projects facility.
Waiting for the World Bank’s Scaling Solar and Storage program
Expectation is rising that the World Bank’s Scaling Solar program will soon expand to include energy storage. A presentation by global law firm, Eversheds Sutherland this week in London added further weight to this.
UK: London backs solar with funding for 1 GW PV scheme
London has launched a £34 million Energy for Londoners scheme, which includes goal of generating 1 GW of energy from solar by 2030. Shirley Rodrigues, deputy mayor for the environment and energy, presented parts of London’s energy vision this week at the Energy Storage Connected Systems conference.
Panasonic to begin direct sales of solar cells
The Japanese electronics giant announces plans to sell solar cells individually this year, but confirms it is poised to halt module production at its fab in Shiga, Japan, in March.
Enphase share sale raises $20 million
The California-headquartered microinverter specialist announces private equity offering of 9,523,809 shares that have been sold to Chilean entrepreneur Isidoro Quiroga.
Swedish government backs Northvolt battery plant to tune of €15m
The Swedish Energy Agency has granted SEK 146 million to support Northvolt Labs’ large-scale battery manufacturing plant in Västerås, Sweden. Project already secured financial backing from ABB, Vestas and Scania.
The weekend read: Taking batteries from lab to market
The conversation around battery cell production may be heated, but it is largely confined to the advanced industrial economies of China, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. Although also a high-tech hub of innovation and manufacturing expertise, Europe has been on the outside looking in for some time. But that could all be about to change as two exciting storage production programs take flight.
Japan: Moixa, Itochu partner on energy storage platform, announce £5 million investment
Moixa has partnered with Japanese trading house, Itochu to market its GridShare platform in Japan. The latter has also invested £5 million in the U.K. residential battery developer to fund further international expansion. The U.S. and Europe are on its radar.
Tesla shows interest in Chilean lithium
The head of the Chilean Economic Development Agency (Corfo), Eduardo Bitran said that Tesla may partner with local lithium manufacturer, SQM in the construction of a factory. The Chilean government and SQM have recently settled a dispute that began in 2014.
